Despite all the promises she kept making to herself to shape up and take control of her life, Anna wasn’t in the mood to go to work today. She called in sick, trying to sound as ill as possible, for she needed at least a day to do some serious thinking.

To at least appear more adult and in control, she chose to wear comfortable, casual clothes and old blue jeans, sweater and flat shoes created a calm efficiency that she rather liked. First stop was the coffee shop, just down the road from her...